Your sixteenth birthday finally came around, obviously Joel had something special planned—he wouldn’t give into confirming your constant guesses so easily.

The fact that he couldn’t tell whether the next thing that would come out of your mouth would either be sheer bizarreness or just plain kept him on guard—he couldn’t let himself be confused so easily or else he might just slip up and reveal the surprise.

Sure enough, the topic of patrol came up after your inquiry about how he knew where he was leading you to. Then Jesse was mentioned.

Now, Joel originally didn’t plan on getting into the ‘fatherly’ talks but he couldn't help it.

“Is there somethin’ going on between you two?” he curiously asked, turning his head over his shoulder to look at you while still walking.

His attention turned back to the path ahead, leading you down the slightly narrow area that was so close to being enclosed with overgrown bush branches.

“You spend a lot of time together.” Joel went on to say, “I see the way you look at him.” His tone remained light, non-judgemental at the possibility of a potential relationship forming between you and Jesse.

Truthfully, Joel wouldn’t mind at all—he knew Jesse took things seriously for the community of Jackson and the young fellow was definitely admirable enough for Joel to think he’d make a fine son-in-law.

“I got a keen eye for these sorts of things,” he said, keeping up a decent pace for you to follow along with.

He couldn't hold back a smile as the topic hadn’t swayed. You’re growing up right before his eyes, no matter how awkward this kind of thing might have sounded—he cherished it.